AN: Okay, got rid of the deep-voiced guy. Here's the next chapter.

Chapter 9

That night, 6:30 PM

Marie nervously ran her fingers through her hair as she waited in the kitchen for Jean. She couldn't figure out what to do with her hair, so she left it down and put some soft waves in it. The white streaks in her hair were pulled around to the back of her head, where they were braided together. Kitty had applied some light make-up to bring out her chocolate eyes. She paced the kitchen floor nervously as she silently prayed that nothing would screw up the night.

"Rogue, please calm down. You look beautiful and you took care of everything. This is gonna go well, I promise." Scott reassured as he watched her pace back and forth before him. He and Logan were calmly seated at the bar, but Marie couldn't sit still. Logan took a swig of his coffee.

"Kid, Jean's gonna love this night. Trust me, you don't need to worry. But if you have a stomach ulser, you won't be able to take her out tonight, or the next few nights for that matter." Logan lightheartidly joked. Kitty came bouncing into the kitchen.

"Lance'll be here soon so I'd better...wow Rogue! You look better in that than I thought you would!" Kitty reported happily. Marie looked at herself.

She was wearing a white button-up blouse with a sharp collar. The sleeves came down to her elbows and the whole blouse fit tight, showing off her hardened stomach. The collar dipped low, showing off her neck and collar bone. She had on black leather dress pants that clung to her above her knee. She wore a pair of black, shined dress boots under the pants that had a little bit of heel to them. A silver, 18 inch snake chain was around her neck and on her chest rested a small, lock-shaped pendant.

Kitty looked at the whole outfit before she took a few long strides to Marie and popped the top button. "There ya go! You looked great before, now you're a knockout!" Marie blushed at this observation. Before she could reply, Ororo came down the stairs. Her eyes widened as she saw Marie.

"Wow! Rogue you're a knockout in that get-up!" Kitty smirked smugly.

"Hah! I told you!" Marie just rolled her eyes as they heard a horn blow outside. Kitty hurried to the door. "Oh! That's Lance! Gotta go, have fun on your date Rogue!" The others bade her goodnight, and Marie began to pace yet again when the door shut behind Kitty. It wasn't long before they heard the tell-tale sounds of high-heels clicking against the stairs. All eyes were on the kitchen door when Jean entered the room.

Jean was wearing a red, strapless ball gown. The gown clung to her above her waist, then widened around her legs to allow easy movement (NOT THAT KIND OF MOVEMENT YOU PERVS!). She had a red silk scarf around her shoulders that reached to her waist on both sides. The gown laced up in the back and she wore elbow-high black gloves. She had on black high-heeled sandals whose straps wrapped around her ankles. Her long red hair was put up and two curled strands framed her face. She had on a very little bit more make-up than Marie, and it brought her emerald eyes out elegantly. She sauntered to Marie, whose face was turning red.

"You ready to go?" She purred as she ran a gloved finger along Marie's jaw-line. Stunned, Marie mutely nodded. Jean smiled the sexiest smile she could possibly muster. "I'll go get my purse and we'll get going." When she left the room, Scott and Logan began to breathe again.

"...Wow..." was all that Logan could muster. Scott and Ororo just chuckled at Marie's comical expression.

"Man, Rogue!" Scott laughed. "Looks like she performed a T.K.O. on you!" When Marie didn't reply, Scott looked more closely at the love-struck young woman. He paniced when he saw that she still wasn't breathing. "OHMYGOD! BREATHE ROGUE! FOR GOD'S SAKE BREATHE!" She then inhaled sharply and leaned against the counter as she gasped to get her breathing back to normal.

"I...can't...do this!" She panted. Ororo placed her hands firmly on her shoulders and looked her in the eye.

"Rogue, calm down! You can do this okay? Just think of something that doesn't turn you on." Ororo instructed. Marie closed her eyes and breathed slowly as she tried to fight her raging hormones.

"Okay...ummm, baseball...circuit fighting...HILARY CLINTON! Whew, that did the trick." Scott and Logan laughed at Marie's humorous struggle, but Ororo just rolled her eyes. Before she could scold the young X-Man, Jean reentered the room with her black purse hanging on her shoulder.

"Okay, let's go Marie." She said as she sauntered toward the door. As Marie followed her out, she heard Scott snicker.

"Have fun Marie!" Marie cringed as Scott called after her. There was no way she was going to live this down.

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"Wow Marie! How did you manage to get a window seat?" Jean asked in awe. Marie held her chair as she sat.

"I have my ways." She replied smoothly as she took her own seat. The waiter came to their table. He spoke in a nasely french voice.

"And what shall the ladies have tonight?" Jean telepathically relayed her order to Marie, who proceeded to order.

"We'll have a plate of raviolli and a plate of shrimp scampi with linguini please." The waiter nodded his understanding.

"And would the ladies like a bottle of red wine?" Jean once again telepathically gave her answer to Marie. Marie once again answered for them.

"That'll be fine, thanks." The waiter nodded.

"Very well. The wine will be here shortly." With that, he left the ladies to their date. Once he left, Marie leaned in closely.

"Am I the only one who thinks it's wierd that an italian restaurant has a french waiter?" Jean poorly tried to stifle her laugh, but seeing her laugh helped Marie calm herself. It wasn't long at all before the wine arrived at the table. Marie mentally took a deep breath and promised herself that she wouldn't have more than three glasses.

As they waited for their food, they kept up a pleasant and easy conversation. Jean buried her face in her arms in an attempt to calm herself after Marie told her a hilarious story about an interesting person she'd met on her way to Canada.

"So, let me get this straight." Jean said as she finally calmed her laughter. "This really tough, burly, muscle man was leading an alternate life? Marie, are you sure you didn't just make that up?" Marie sipped some of her wine and shook her head.

"I could never make this stuff up! During the weekdays he was the best fighter I knew! I mean, he never beat me but he sure as hell gave me a run for my money. But I swear on my grandmother's grave that he spent his weekends as a cross-dressing prostitute! He even told me that he liked taking it more than he liked giving it! I mean, Monday through Friday he was the epitomy of butch, but Saturdays and Sundays he was a full-blown femm!" Jean burst into another fit of giggles.

"How did you find out?"

"Well, he told me! That is, just before he asked me to get him a new pair of heels!"

"I can't believe he revealed his darkest secret to you, just to get you to buy him shoes!" Marie shrugged.

"People are wierd, ya know?" Jean rolled her eyes.

"Trust me, I know."

As they ate, they continued to chat about random topics. Marie couldn't help but noticed how easy it was to talk to Jean. No one had ever payed so much attention to what she had to say. When the food was finished, Marie took Jean's hand and softly ran her thumb along the back of her hand. They didn't speak, they just enjoyed each other's company.

"Marie, this night was so wonderful." Jean sayed softly, looking deep into her girlfriends eyes. Marie's chocolate eyes twinkled.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. We should probably get back to the mansion. It's nine-thirty and you've got classes to teach tomorrow morning." Jean was touched that Marie was paying so much attention to how long she kept her out.

"Okay, let's get going." Marie escorted her out into the warm, springtime air. She held the car door open for Jean before getting in on the driver's side. Jean held her hand as she drove and the two just enjoyed the comfortable silence as they drove back to the mansion.

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"You sure you don't want to come in?" Jean asked as they stood outside her room. Marie shook her head.

"I don't think we'll be able to take things slowly if I do that." Jean couldn't deny her disappointment, but she respected and even admired Marie's decision. She kissed her deeply before opening her door.

"Goodnight Marie."

"Goodnight Jean." Marie made her way down the hall to her room. When she reached her door, she was greeted by a very unwelcome visitor.

"So, I heard you went lezbo."

"So, I heard you went celibate. Be careful, I hear it's a very "hands on" job." She replied venemously.

"Well, since you're into girls now I guess that you of all people would know something about hand jobs." Marie glared her meanest glare.

"What are you doing here Bobby?" Bobby smirked.

"I just want to know how my ex has been since she ruined my reputation around here."

"You ruined your own reputation Bobby. If you don't hit the road, the only thing that I'll ruin is your face." Bobby rolled his eyes.

"I'm not scared of you Rogue. You might want to watch yourself, it would be unfortunate if Dr. Grey were-" Bobby was cut off by a fist in his face. When he hit the ground, Marie planted her boot on his neck.

"If you lay one fucking finger on her I swear that celibacy will be the least of your worries!" The words dripped like venom from Marie's lips. She hauled him up by his collar and shoved him off.

She finally got into her room and locked her door. Mentally, she sent a message to Jean.

Jean, do me a favor and lock your door tonight.

Is it Bobby?

Yeah.

...I understand.

Marie changed out of her clothes and collapsed into bed. As she drifted off, she thought about her day. She remembered the ecstasy she had felt when Kitty helped her find her outfits. She felt her heart swell with love as she remembered her date. But she couldn't help but feel animosity toward Bobby for ending her perfect day on a bitter note. She drifted off to sleep, contemplating what she would do about her relationship with Jean and her festering wound with Bobby.

AN:Ahhhh...the conflict arises and thus the plot thickens. Now, how about those reviews?